Those who are not planning to jump on the Vista bandwagon in the next year or …

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Microsoft has revised its Windows Service Pack Road Map , pushing Windows XP SP3 back to the first half of 2008. That would make for at least a three-and-a-half-year gap between SP2 (released in August 2004) and its successor. Originally expected at some point this year, Microsoft then pushed SP3 back into the last half of 2007 in January.

With Windows XP Professional Mainstream Support slated to end in January 2009, SP3's effective shelf life may end up being less than a year.

Microsoft hasn't given any reason for the change in plans, but part of the reason for the timing change may be the need to devote resources to getting Vista and Office 2007 out the door on time. Until SP3 is released, stay on top of your patches and thank the heavens for slipstreaming.